Background and Objectives: There is as yet no suitable routine laboratory test for a blood transfusion service to detect bacterial contamination in platelets. This study evaluates the effectiveness and the applicability of short‐term bacterial culture for such a purpose. Materials and Methods: Samples from 5‐unit platelet pools were inoculated into an aerobic culture bottle, then monitored for 48 h at 35°C in an automated monitoring and detection system. Results: 26,210 whole‐blood‐derived platelet components were tested, of which 14 (0.053%) platelet units were found to be contaminated. In addition, nine of the associated red cell units and 4 fresh‐frozen plasma units grew the same organisms on culture. Conclusion: Short‐duration bacterial culture by an automated system is effective and suitable for routine screening in a regional transfusion center.

Background and Objectives: There is as yet no suitable routine laboratory test for a blood transfusion service to detect bacterial contamination in platelets. This study evaluates the effectiveness and the applicability of short–term bacterial culture for such a purpose. Materials and Methods: Samples from 5–unit platelet pools were inoculated into an aerobic culture bottle, then monitored for 48 h at 35°C in an automated monitoring and detection system. Results: 26,210 whole–blood–derived platelet components were tested, of which 14 (0.053%) platelet units were found to be contaminated. In addition, nine of the associated red cell units and 4 fresh–frozen plasma units grew the same organisms on culture. Conclusion: Short–duration bacterial culture by an automated system is effective and suitable for routine screening in a regional transfusion center.